As we are coming to the end of the season in Baltimore we are hoping to finish the campaign off strongly and we are looking to be playing with consistency and confidence heading into to the play-offs in April.

With Philadelphia, Rockford and Monterrey still fighting for two play-off spots, it is a telling sign that their faith will come down to the last game of the season next week.

This week I must touch on the Island Soccer League (ISL) and where we are at this time. We (ISL) have been receiving plenty of emails from players and fans about what is going on.

Well, at this time we are finalising the schedule and would be looking to have one completed in the next two weeks.

We are also meeting with the coaches and having them select their eight protected players from last season.

After the selection of the eight protected players, coaches will then set a schedule for their tryouts, which will start in April. After the tryouts we will be holding a draft where each team will get the chance to select the rest of their team, which will make up a squad of 15 players.

We will be looking to start the season late May early June. All updates and timelines will be in The Royal Gazette.

We will be making some changes heading into the 2009 season which would help us increase awareness and opportunities for Players, referees and coaches.

To do this we are looking to be affiliated with National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) and other Professional leagues in the USA and around the world.

You may be asking why such affiliations would be a big deal for the ISL.

Well, making an affiliation with the National Indoor Soccer League (NISL) will help create opportunities players and spread more awareness about ISL/Hope4Life programmes. This affiliation will be one that will benefit all the players, referees and coaches in Bermuda.

The NISL is supported also by USL, which also will give outdoor teams a chance to look at the ISL players.

AFFILIATION MEANS TO PLAYERS - An affiliation would allow the ISL players to be scouted by professional coaches each year, it would also bring more awareness to the talent in Bermuda.

We would see a higher percentage of players leave Bermuda and get exposure in the professional environment. Players will have even more reason to sacrifice.

AFFILIATION MEANS TO COACHES - Coaches would have the opportunity to be scouted as well. Also coaches would be able to travel to professional clubs and get some knowledge and experience in coaching at a higher level.

They will also have the ability to interact with professional coaches and use them as a support system for coaching in ISL and in Bermuda.

AFFILIATION MEANS TO REFREES - Referees will have the opportunity to be scouted and looked at by NISL.

They would have a strong support system, which would help them develop quicker for the small-sided game.

They would be going through referee classes, which would be support and run by NISL.

The NISL referees would be available if needed for ISL games in Bermuda.

AFFILIATION MEANS TO ISL/HOPE4LIFE - Well for one thing it would help us build our network and give us a range of support from outside the Bermuda shores.

It would help us set greater incentives to players. Not just would it help with ISL but also the Hope4Life programme, which we have also started in Baltimore.

As the commissioner of the ISL my main jobs this year is ISL exposure and stronger substance, I feel that it will be very important to get the players out in the community more and create better opportunities for them overseas.

We have had many players travel away for tryouts and with such affiliations will be seeing many leave Bermuda in search for their dreams.

In two weeks we will be providing you with a full layout of the 2009 season, direction of the league and more information and update on affiliations.

Until next time!